Threshold's tBTC bridge restarts after nine-day pause, Aave reserve stays frozen
In brief
- Threshold said its tBTC network was restarting Sunday as security-patched node operators reconnected.
- The tBTC bridge was halted Oct. 30 over a critical Linux kernel vulnerability.
- New tBTC deposits, minting and redemptions stay paused until enough nodes are online.
- Aave froze its roughly $120 million tBTC reserve on Ethereum Core on Oct. 31.
- LlamaRisk said it would propose restoring the reserve once Threshold's operations normalize.
Why the bridge went dark
Threshold initially halted the bridge on Oct. 30 while operators addressed a critical Linux kernel vulnerability. According to the project, the flaw could allow remote attackers to execute code on unpatched servers.
Those servers matter. tBTC relies on independent node operators, who collectively authorize Bitcoin movements and process deposits and redemptions.
Threshold said it found no evidence the flaw was exploited against tBTC nodes. It also said roughly 4,320 BTC remains in bridge wallets against about 4,185 tBTC in circulation, and that it detected no unauthorized Bitcoin transfers or token minting (those figures and findings come from Threshold, as reported by Cointelegraph).
What's working, and what isn't
The restart isn't a full reopening. Threshold said requests submitted before the shutdown are expected to be processed as more operators return, but the app won't accept new deposits, minting or redemptions until enough nodes are online.
Threshold didn't announce a restart date.
Aave's frozen tBTC reserve
Aave froze its tBTC reserve on Ethereum Core on Oct. 31 to prevent additional exposure while redemptions were unavailable. The restriction stops new tBTC deposits and stops the token from adding borrowing power. Existing users can still withdraw and repay loans, so positions that were already open aren't locked in place.
The reserve holds about $120 million in tBTC, according to Cointelegraph's reporting.
It's not clear yet when that changes. Aave risk provider LlamaRisk said it would propose restoring the reserve after Threshold's operations return to normal, which ties the Aave side of this story directly to how quickly patched operators come back online and the bridge reopens deposits, minting and redemptions.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Threshold halt the tBTC bridge?
Threshold halted the tBTC bridge on Oct. 30 while operators addressed a critical Linux kernel vulnerability. The project said the flaw could allow remote attackers to execute code on unpatched servers. Threshold said it found no evidence the flaw was exploited against tBTC nodes.
Can tBTC users deposit, mint or redeem right now?
Not yet, according to Threshold. The app won't accept new deposits, minting or redemptions until enough nodes are online. Requests submitted before the shutdown are expected to be processed as more operators return, and Threshold hasn't announced a restart date.
What does Aave's tBTC freeze mean for existing users?
Aave froze its tBTC reserve on Ethereum Core on Oct. 31. The restriction stops new tBTC deposits and stops the token from adding borrowing power, but existing users can still withdraw and repay loans. LlamaRisk said it would propose restoring the reserve after Threshold's operations return to normal.
